I've been writing and sharing poetry more since Helene, because sometimes all I feel are the same lines welling up again and again. Here’s one of those poems. And so much gratitude for each of you writing and finding ways forward in (m)any shapes and ways. <3

May always feels like a time for recommitting -- recommitting to creative work, to writing projects (especially those set aside), and to ourselves and the people we write with and for. There's an invitation to start again as spring is in full bloom and the promise of summer awaits. +

I am repeating to myself often "give it to the water" and imagining that I can pour out and offer up what I can't carry alone. Here's a view of Beaver Lake on a recent evening walk. I am so grateful to live here, near water and surrounded by mountains. Sending love on this spring weekend. <3

It's the spring equinox, and I want to send blessings on this day of new beginnings. But I've also been struggling. Collectively, there's so much violence & so much heartbreaking. I'm full of rage and certainly cursing a lot. Personally, I'm trying to say hard things & to stay with hard emotions. +

I've found myself writing today about what times we're living and writing and attempting to intervene in! There's so much day to day ... and I'm finding myself so grateful for each person in my life, each bit of correspondence. +

With so much badness these days, I have been especially grateful for turkeys who remind me of abundance and community care. It's amazing to witness how turkeys communicate and coordinate with each other, even in large and dispersed groups. +

The next writing retreat (this Monday, February 24th) comes just as snow has fallen here in North Carolina and many places throughout the United States. Consider joining, along with a warm candle and cup of tea, for a cozy day of being tucked in and curled up for writing. +

I'm sharing a photo of my a friend's art (string of hearts) that I added to the laundry area. How I am grateful for each small act of that reminds us that we are connected & can inspire & lift each other. May this week's spaces similarly bring heart-filled energy into the most unlikely of times.

Gathering: "Love in Action: Sharing Protests and Prayers for These Times"

This Valentine’s Day, let’s come together and share some of the protests and prayers we are writing for these times. Let’s lean into bell hooks’ teaching that love is a verb.

Join here: heart-head-hands.com/love-in-acti...

Last call for this round of weekly writing groups!

Groups are meeting on Wednesdays and Fridays and co-facilitated with @candacewrites.bsky.social -- heart-head-hands.com/product/onli...

Sliding-scale and multiple registration options available. And a one-day retreat is included with registration.

Photo shows a circular metal flower (a sunflower?) posted on a trail sign with grey metal petals, a rusty center, & the post as the stem. Found & folk art like this also reminds me that there are possibilities beyond my initial imaginings: there's always more to envision, create, & bring into being.

Some grounding for these times ~ still processing all that's happened in the past week & wanting to show up for the next. Sending love that we may fill our wells & continue to have capacity to draw from.

& I'm lighting the candle to affirm: "may your choices reflect your hopes and not your fears."

There's still time to join this round of weekly writing groups (running through April). Group members truly co-create the space and are working on cool creations pointing in many directions.

This image shows a view into four of projects group members recently shared. Continued in comments. +